Thursday, July 29, 2010

Random Things

There's lots of randomness in this post!


Here are our braids! It took FOUR hours to get this done!

It's soooo easy to maintain.
The locals seem to like it. They tell us we look "smart." Which means nice. Although we have no idea if they're talking junk about us in Lugandan:)




A few nights ago, we took some teen girls out to dinner from a nearby orphanage. It was so neat to be able to treat them to a meal and girl time. They talked and talked and ate and ate:) These girls held on to us the whole night and did not let go! They were precious. Today some of the girls from our guesthouse (where we are staying) went down to the orphanage again. Alexa, my buddy the other night, sent me this note....

melt.my.heart.

She gave me a Ugandan name that means hope. How humbling. She says I remind her of her mom. That was a huge compliment. Her mom is unable to take care of her so she is at this great place where she can go to school and be well cared for.




Here is what a Boda boda ride is really like...

Yes, they weave in and out of cars like this constantly.
Told you it was the fastest way around:)




At the BH (Babies Home), there is a guesthouse we are staying in. And we stay with all of these fun people!
Meet Jennifer, Annika, Lauren, Angela, Kim, Erica, and Nate. Poor Nate, the only man in the group. All of these people are volunteering at the BH! There is a Brit, an Aussie and the rest of us are americans. It's been really neat getting to know them. They serve so selflessly! Giving up their summer breaks to come here and love on these babies.




This is the way we wash our clothes, wash our clothes, wash our clothes, this is the way we wash our clothes so early in the morning...




We are headed out in the morning for a safari!! I can't wait!! We'll be back Sunday, so more posts to come for sure!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

BODA BODA

Boda Bodas are the cheapest and fastest way around town here.

This picture really doesn't do it justice, but they weave in and out of cars like crazy. There's just enough room for your legs between the cars. Whoa, it's crazy.
But I have to admit, it's a rush too:)
Many of them wear helmets...but we don't have one. hmmm

The streets here are crazy crowded. I've never seen so many people and cars in one place!

Radical

Radical


God has been stirring things in my heart that I couldn’t muster up on my own. A few months ago I began sensing that the Lord has more than the American Dream in mind for my little family. A friend and I began talking about it and she suggested I listen to the Radical Series by David Platt. Whoa! It rocked.my.world. It really gave me a vision for God’s heart for the poor, sick, and orphaned around the world. I’d never heard much of this before and have only begun to think about my role in serving the poor and orphaned over the past few years. But now I have a passion to do it. I don’t really know what that looks like yet, but I am willing to go where God leads. Does this mean I am moving overseas? I don’t think so (it’s okay mom, you can loosen the grip on your chair now), but I am saying, “Wherever you lead me, I will go.” It’s really an amazing feeling to be able to say that and really mean it. Does it mean we will adopt? I imagine we will, but we both sense it will be in the future, not right away. But I am saying, “God, if you call me to adopt, I will obey.”

Much of being Radical is about how we spend our money. Are we spending it on bigger houses, nicer cars, etc... while 26,000 kids starve to death everyday? Think about that....26,000 kids are starving to DEATH EVERYDAY. And I want a new shirt, nicer van, an addition built onto my home. I am dumbfounded now by that thought. Not that any of those things are bad, but my mind is shifting to what’s truly necessary and what I can do without so that others can EAT.

I am really looking forward to how God is going to work in our little family to impact the world for His glory.


So, I dare you to go listen! Actually, I BEG you to. It will change your life. There are eight messages and they are an hour long. So yes, it will take you some time. But please at least listen to the first one and see what you think. We have to hear it and be moved to align our heart with the Lord's.



Now GO!!

RADICAL


If for some reason that link doesn't work, go to Brook Hills Church, It's in Alabama. Search Radical and it will come up. You can listen OR you can watch the videos.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Slums

Yesterday we went to the slums to give out deworming tablets. As you can imagine, these kids are very undernourished and full of parasites. And the parasites keep them really anemic, so they get deworming tablets every few months from a lady that lives in California.

Here is a picture of the slums from the outside. It was pouring rain when we left...
Look at these precious faces. These are the faces of poverty, people.
Kim and I handing out meds...
Cutie pie Jennifer handed out the tablet
I handed them a sweet (what they call candy), and Kim marked their face so we made sure everyone got their med.
They danced and sang until we were finished. I wish you could hear these african drums and them singing, "I love you Jesus deep down in my heart..."
This school is where we handed out the meds
Do you see the walls? This is some of their work they memorize. And school is not free here, anywhere. So if your parents can't pay, you don't go. period.


Then we took a walk through the slums. Wow.

This is a trash heap. They just pile it all up and then burn it.
Look at all these sweet ones. They LOVE Mzungus! And they love it even more when we take their picture and then turn the camera around so they can see themselves. They just cheer and cheer. I wish I had a portable printer so I could print the pictures for them

These kids are so loving. They just come up to us and grab our hands and latch on until we have to leave. What an impression they leave on me.

YES!!!!!


It's a YES!!!!!! MR has a FOREVER home as a Balts girl!! Praise the Lord. We are rejoicing:)) It was so surreal sitting there listening to the judge tell my friend that she was allowed guardianship of a little girl she has been in love with and fighting for, for a YEAR.

Please pray for us as we wait for the written ruling and then apply for her visa!

She's a step closer to meeting her Daddy and siblings!!

147 Millions orphans MINUS one today!!!!

The first time MR let me hold her!:)
Before Court!




Thursday, July 22, 2010

Blessed

Well, I am here safe and sound. It was a sweet reunion with K at the airport:) And MR is precious!!!!!

Before I left I had a day and a half with my sweet husband. Ron and Wanda took the girls home with them. It was so nice to just be with Jeremy before I left. Just hanging out and talking. Then I was able to have dinner with my family the night before I left. It was great to hug them all:)

Day 1: Airport Day
We got up super early and left for the airport. I started getting sad once we were in line for the first security check. When we said goodbye of course we both cried. The security guy asked me if I needed tissue:) sweet man. I made it to my gate and then I texted J and told him how much I loved him and thanked him for taking such good care of me. Then he sends me this text, "I love you and have missed you already. I watched you and took pictures of you until security told me to leave. I am trusting God to protect you my love!" Isn't he the BEST???
I flew to Dulles in DC and then to Ehtiopia. It was a 15 hr flight with one stop in Rome. Unfortunately it was dark so I couldn't see anything. I had the whole row of seats to myself! So I was able to rest and be comfy.

Day 2: Airport and Landing!
I finished my last leg of the looooong flight and met K at the airport!! We took a taxi to the orphanage and she showed me around. Then I got to meet MR and spend time in class with her and the other kids. It was fun and chaotic! After we got all the kids fed and in bed, we had dinner and then I passed out! (Not really passed out, just went to sleep, just to clarify before someone freaks out:))

Day 3: Babies Home and in the City
This morning we went over and helped in class for the morning. We did activities and had worship to an african drum! That was really awesome! Then we fed and changed them all for naps. Then K and I went out to the city for lunch, money exchange, and to the attorney's office.

I am doing well and loving being here with the kids! And of course, with K:) These kids are precious I tell ya! They have such JOY.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Our Toast to Abbie


Laughter filled our home growing up, and a large part of that was due to Abbie! So we had to do a funny toast to honor her on her wedding day:)
Enjoy!



Here are the lyrics:

Now this is a story all about how
Our lives got flipped turned upside down
We'd like to take a minute
Just sit right there
We'll tell you about being sisters of Abbie Looper

In Charlotte, NC she was born and raised
On momma's lap is where she spent most of her days
Suckin her thumb out by the pool
And sportin a bowl cut, she thought she was cool
Abbie is a humorous one
Making mom pee until the day is done
Giving doogers is her thing
You better watch out Ab you might lose your ring

She was at the ballfield day after day
Catching balls and running bases, she sure can play
Rec league, high school, and college ball too
Our 4'11'' sister. whoop-ti-do

College diplomas and masters degrees
Teaching for her seems like a breeze
Her kids all love her and that's a fact
But her true love her life did lack

Thanks to Rob and Debbie a blind date was set
Tubing in the mountains is where they met
But poor Erik lived two states away
Whooped he'd get and move here to stay

At 131 Main she got no dessert
Cause he was so nervous with a ring in his shirt
She said, "Yes!, without a doubt"
She found her true love we wanted to shout!

We love you dear Abbie, our memories we'll cherish
But the name brat girl will not soon perish
You're a beautiful girl, we'd say that you're rare
And for you, our sister we really do care

Marriage takes work but there's joy all the same
May life be long and happy, be on your "A"game
We'll always be here for the both of you
You're family and friends, we'll be faithful and true

Have fun in Jamaica and make us a NEPHEW!

Leaving on a jet plane

On Tuesday I am leaving on a jet plane bound for Africa! As most of you know, one of my closest friends is there adopting a sweet little girl. She's been there for seven weeks already and it's time for me to go spend some time with her and help her bring her baby home. Can you imagine??? SEVEN weeks away from your husband and other three children? My friend is a pillar of strength and her example of trusting the Lord through this adoption journey has been humbling. I can hardly wait to hug her and tell her how proud of her I am, and just catch up on these past SEVEN weeks! I doubt we'll get much sleep for a while:) And of course, I get to meet sweet MR!!! I can't wait to hug her either!!:)

I consider it a privilege to be able to go and serve in Africa. There are babies who need lovin and orphanages we will go to and help serve. Some of them have nothing, literally. The kids sleep 3-4 to a "bed," no mattress, just springs. They rarely eat, maybe every other day they get one meal. We hope to take food to them and activities for the kids. If you would be interested in being a part of helping these kids, email me.

Please pray for me! I am flying across the world by myself. I know God is going to protect me, and I trust Him. But I am really tempted to be fearful, especially about getting on to each flight! I will arrive in Africa on Wednesday afternoon.

Please pray for my dear friend and her court ruling. Once she gets the ruling we can apply for a visa and bring MR home! I will be able to go to court with her. We need prayer that the judge will actually give the ruling this week as scheduled, and give the written ruling asap, so we can apply for the visa. Then pray for the visa to come in as fast as possible. Honestly, nothing goes quickly over there. They're just not in a hurry.

God has been kind to use this time in Uganda to help mom and baby to attach to one another. There is still a long way to go, but the attachment is happening. Praise God.

As you can tell, I am not being too specific in this post to protect the situation, until the adoption is final.

I hope to blog while I am gone. So check back! The internet is really slow there so I'll do my best:)

I'll close with a sweet story. I was in Target yesterday buying presents for the little African sweetie:) As I was checking out the cashier said, "Somebody is going to love you!" I told her they were for a little girl my friend is adopting and that I was going to Africa to see them and help bring her home. She said, "Oh my goodness! What is your name?" I told her and she said, "Lindsay, I am going to pray for you." I told her to please do it and that I was nervous about flying by myself. She said, "Don't you worry Lindsay, God is going to take care of you!" And then a little time passed and she told me how proud of me she was. When she handed me my receipt, she said that she had already prayed for me.
It was kind of the Lord to use this lady to encourage me:) And to know she's praying brings me great comfort.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Abbie and Erik's Wedding

Whew! The wedding week has come to a close! It was such a fun time:)
My youngest sister Abbie got married this past Saturday.

This is the wedding party at the bridal luncheon....

The flower girls...
Abbie and Erik at the Rehearsal Dinner....

The BIG Day! We started off at the salon....
Mother of the Bride getting her hair all pretty...

Pipey getting her hair all pretty:)


Before the ceremony, My sisters:)

Beautiful Bride
Ab gave Dad a picture of her in her wedding dress swinging a ball bat. We all had a good cry and vowed not to cry again for the rest of the day:) I think we made it!

Daddy and his little flower girls...
Hmmm, I didn't upload the best one, but here are the Bergmans:)
T-Bird
Gracie and Tristen with our cousins Brigett and Maddie
Crazy Jessi is in the background. She is SO funny! She taught the girls to put their hands on their hip and say "Fabulous"
These little ones danced the night away!
Rob and Debbie are the matchmakers:) Rob is Erik's best friend and Debbie is Ab's best friend.


Lauren and I doing our toast to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Father Daughter Dance to "You'll always be my little girl" by Tim McGraw
....Or so we thought! You gotta admit, watching all those slow dances is boring:) Dad and Ab surprised us all by breaking out in an evolution dance! They did The Twist...

And Thriller (hate I don't have that picture) all the way to Baby Got Back.
It was soooo cute!
Piper conked out about 10 for a little while...
Sleep Baby Sleep
Off they go!

Congratulations Ab and E!!